Source: Team_Talk
Pompey plan Euro appeal to FA
Portsmouth are planning to appeal to the Football Assocation in a bid to secure a UEFA club licence to play in Europe next season.[LNB] Pompey would normally be granted a place in Europe by reaching next month's FA Cup final against Chelsea but they did not apply for a UEFA club licence ahead of the March deadline for English teams to lodge paperwork with the country's governing body.[LNB]The club were in administration at the time but are now confident of securing a new owner, while £1.8million of prize money is at stake if they can defeat Chelsea.[LNB]They will receive parachute payments following relegation from the Premier League this season and the Europa League would also offer extra income.[LNB]"It will be an uphill struggle in terms of making the appeal but nonetheless we will try," said Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou.[LNB]Andronikou confirmed Pompey will be speaking to French club Lens over allowing Aruna Dindane to play in the final without triggering a £4million payment that comes with his 22nd appearance for Pompey.[LNB]"Under his contract there was bullet payment after his 22nd appearance, he has played 21 games and we are looking to have a meeting with Lens to negotiate," Andronikou added.[LNB]"I'm sure they will see it is in the interest of the club, themselves and the player for there to be a compromise."[LNB]Andronikou is also confident Avram Grant will have a full squad to choose from for the showpiece against his former club, despite some of the players having expensive clauses in their contracts that could be triggered.[LNB]Before that Pompey face Wigan at the DW Stadium on Wednesday in the Premier League.[LNB]"We seem to have everything under control at the moment and will, as usual, put out a strong team against Wigan on Wednesday," Andronikou said on Sky Sports News.[LNB]"The issue was regarding FA Cup appearances.[LNB]"Now we have another problem, albeit a very welcome one, for the final. I'm sure we'll have a full squad to play against Chelsea in May."[LNB]Reaching the FA Cup final has sparked interest from new potential buyers.[LNB]"It was such a marvellous occasion and such a wonderful result for the club, and it has already triggered further interest," Andronikou said.[LNB]"We had one party who had shown interest, they were hovering, a real significant consortium with sporting interests, and this morning they came to step up their interest."
